Well, I know I am not in Thailand, "tourist traps" were within quote marks, the expression came from a German guy I met downtown in a bar last night. And you are right, the differences in prices are not at all big. Got a fair deal on the bike too, they treated me very well. Hot spring and falls took about an hour to pass through. Spent most of the morning walking around in Valencia, afternoon in and around Bacong. Looking at apartments and houses in both places and between them. Diving is not an activity for me anymore. So thats out of the question! Was thinking about heading along the coast up towards Bais tomorrow. I spotted some nice looking houses for rent in the area at the estate firm.
You have to admire @Rye83 - a man of great intelligence, profound insights and, crucially to this post, a man who is very selective about many things. If he chose Valencia then there has to be something going for it - he has been in the region for very many years (in spite of his youthfulness) and knows where is best to live better than most. If ever I return to the Dumaguete area, I am sure to find a place where the man who has such high standards has chosen for himself. There is no better recommendation. Newbies and those moving within the region - you know where to go.
Renting a vehicle would be expensive. It is better to get a small car. I wouldn't advise a motorbike. Filipino drivers are often crazy and it is too dangerous.
Really? I chose Dumaguete (when moving from Olongapo) because I thought the name, along with "Negros Oriental", sounded kind of funny and because I had never heard of the place (and, more importantly, neither had my x-wife). No exaggeration, that is exactly why I picked the area...because the name was fun to say. I found an apartment in 2010, the same compound I live in today, on the internet thinking Valencia was a Barangay of Dumaguete...in 30 minutes or less of looking in the website. Didn't visit to see if I liked the place first, just rented the place online and paid a shipping company to pack my things up and blindly send it to some island I had never heard of or visited. There was zero thought put into living where I do now. Like most things in my life, I got lucky, it kind of just fell into my lap and I ran with it and made the best out of it. I could decide to move tomorrow simply because I like the way Iloilo or Lagaspi rolls of the tongue. And for why I stayed...I haven't become completely infamous with the ladies and my place is rather difficult for the ladies to find if they haven't been brought out there a dozen times (because when taking them home I always change the route up using different back roads to add to their confusion).
I have a 1000cc sports bike and a 650cc motocross bike. The Valencia ladyboy biker gang can't catch me.
Have to say I don't agree with this. Compared to most countries in the region, I find Filipino drivers to be relatively courteous, law abiding and considerate. I feel much safer riding a motorbike here than in a lot of other Asian countries I have ridden in (e.g. China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar). Sure, it's not as safe as, say Switzerland, but as long as you have your wits about you and don't drive too fast, I think it's pretty safe to ride here. I'll let you know once I've had my first accident and changed my mind
Agree too! Driving for years in Thailand was a lot tougher than here. At least from what I have seen so far. I feel there more risk takers in Thailand, people that make a turn before they look or think. The crossings is also working a lot better here, eye contact works great while it does not in Thailand. I paid 300 peso/day for 2 days (Yamaha Mio 125cc Scooter), cheap compared to Thailand.